At today's NATO Summit meeting, Allied leaders endorsed a "zero
tolerance" policy for forces in NATO operations to help combat
trafficking in persons. The United States and Norway proposed this
initiative, which was approved by the North Atlantic Council on June 9,
2004, and by all 46 members of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council on
June 16, 2004.

This decision is of crucial importance in light of the nearly
200,000 victims of trafficking each year who are transported through
the Balkans, an area where NATO forces have a significant presence and
security responsibilities.

Through this new policy, NATO will develop specific provisions for
NATO-led forces to support the efforts of local authorities to combat
trafficking. NATO will develop methods to monitor progress on
combating trafficking. In implementing this policy, the Alliance will
work closely with local and international organizations that protect
and house adult and child victims of trafficking. NATO will also work
closely with the United Nations, the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe, the International Organization on Migration, and
other multilateral organizations in this effort.

In addition, as part of this policy, NATO has declared that forces
under its command and control are prohibited from engaging in, aiding,
or facilitating either the trafficking of human beings or modern-day
slavery. NATO will design and implement new anti-trafficking training
courses for troops deploying to NATO-led operations. NATO is also
establishing a confidential internal mechanism to report on violations
of this new policy.